Today's healthcare professionals are challenged to find ways to improve patient access to safe, cost-effective care in an overburdened healthcare system. The challenge – find ways to improve patient access to safe, quality care without over-burdening the system.
Enter the CRNA. These trained professionals deliver the same safe, high-quality care as other anesthesia professionals but at a lower cost. In fact:
- A landmark study published in 2010 and updated in 2016 found that the most cost-effective anesthesia delivery model is a CRNA working as the sole anesthesia provider.
- Because Medicare pays the same fee for anesthesia services provided by a CRNA, an anesthesiologist, or both working together, the higher compensation of the anesthesiologist is borne by the hospital, healthcare facility or patients.
- Legislation passed as part of the Affordable Care Act promotes coverage of CRNA services within their scope of practice, so health plans support a competitive, high-quality healthcare marketplace.
- Most managed care plans recognize CRNAs for providing high-quality anesthesia care with reduced expenses to patients and insurance companies.
